I have this machine 99% done, and have few a while now. As I keep test fitting and minor tweaking the parts I can’t help but hate how the fasteners looks. The rest of the non-fastener hardware parts are silver mostly.

-Seems like black cap screws wouldn’t do much but camouflage them a bit. Although red anodized would be killer.

With a 3/8″ thickness the 3/4″ screws are just a hair too short and 1″ is long enough to be ugly. Maybe a counter sink, just a bit . 1/8″ might be just enough to make a statement. Dang it.

Such little details I just want to use it already.

I really wanted 3/8″ MDF but there is not any to be found in my neck of the woods, 3/8″ StarBoard really isn’t much more rigid than 1/4″ MDF. The design will allow for 1/2″ though, but dang that would be a beefy monster.

I have checked two lumber suppliers and 3 different hardware stores, no 3/8″.

I did get some other screws though, and will try counter sinking them as soon as the orders go out I will put up a pic I have a test piece I can screw up. I do think it looks a little better in the most recent pic with all the red on it. Maybe when the silver goes on it will be a little better still.

The new design deals with the Y axis Flex by fliping all the mounts so it can be made of material even thicker than before, offsetting the Y belt to the edge to minimize even more flex, and it can use the Y rods as a support if they are dimensioned well enough. Every single part has been tweaked, some a little and some a lot. I also swapped out the 608’s for toothed idlers.

Nice find Andy, I do like them but DANG $7.17 Each (plus shipping). My closest hardware store has regular black hex heads for $0.69 each but I would have to get a ton to get them from my supplier. Regular screws are only like $0.02 from them but at about 5k qty per box.

I have this machine 99% done, and have few a while now. As I keep test fitting and minor tweaking the parts I can’t help but hate how the fasteners looks. The rest of the non-fastener hardware parts are silver mostly. -Seems like black cap screws wouldn’t do much but camouflage them a bit. Although red anodized would be killer. -A complete design change sounds like a bummer. -Maybe counter sink the screw heads? -Make a 3D printed cover for the screw heads that gets stuck on? Any ideas?

Somewhat related – If you’re not familiar with them, you might want to check out Bowlin Equipment Supply on 10th near Harrison in Berkeley. Years ago when I worked at the then nearby North Face Factory they were the only game in town for metric or unusual hardware. I found them very helpful back then – I hear they still are.

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Yeah, that is what I landed on. I am having a hard time getting the time to finish it so I let the screws go for now. You all have given me lots of options, or if you make one will know what to do if they bug you.